Community supports ROTARY benefit

Chili Feast Raffle winner Carolyn Mulloy, right, with Rotary Chili Feast chair Jerry Fallin in front of her new truck, at Turner Chevrolet.
Chili Feast Raffle winner Carolyn Mulloy, right, with Rotary Chili Feast chair Jerry Fallin in front of her new truck, at Turner Chevrolet.

Carolyn Mulloy wins Chili Feast Truck

HIGHLANDS – The Rotary Club held a very successful 46th Annual Chili Feast last Saturday, in spite of the logistic problems caused by the pandemic, including the fact that they were unable to serve Chili due to restrictions on large assemblies. For the first time, the event was held at the Methodist Church, with only Rotarians present as the winning tickets were pulled from the rotating hopper.

The Chili Feast Chairman this year was the club’s president-elect, Jerry Fallin, assisted by President Andy Scott and all the other Rotarians selling tickets, sponsorships, and other duties to make the event run smoothly.

Because of the pandemic, and the omission of chili this year, the club had some concern that they might not sell enough tickets to cover their expenses and have additional funds for community projects. The major recipient of support from the Chili Feast is the Rotary Scholarship program, which last year awarded $30,000 to 18 college bound students.

However, the community turned out in great numbers and bought all 700 raffle tickets, which provided the same amount of income as previous years. As well as raffle tickets, their were a number of corporate sponsors that also contributed support.

Chairman Fallin said that they wish to thank all that participated including these sponsors:

Diamond level, Dependable Diesel Truck Services Inc, Eddie & Cathy Frautschi; Jerry & Julie Fallin.

Gold level, Mega Sand Enterprises Inc.

Bronze level, BDI Resources, Gilbert Santana.

Silver level, Edward Jones, Diana Weaver; Capital Bank, Sheila McDonald; Jannette Self, Photography; Central Auto Inspections, Johnny Gaeke; and Charlie’s Ice House, Charlie Ward.

The club will use the proceeds from the Chili Feast throughout the year, for various community projects, including scholarships, Partners in Education, Bay Area Homeless, Highlands Stratford Library, including a new bookmobile in the planning stage, Baytown Youth Fair, Crosby Youth Fair, Bra’s for the Cause, Hurricane and flood relief, Highlands food pantry, the Cody Stephens Foundation for heart screening, and many more.